The Appaloosa has
a bold and colorful heritage, originating some 20,000 years ago. His appearance
and unique qualities earned him special recognition in the drawings of cave
dwellers, and worship in ancient Asia and made him a prized mount of Spanish
explorers, Indians and western settlers. Today, the Appaloosa's color, versatility,
willing temperament and athletic ability make him a popular choice for a
number of activities.
Although Appaloosas are most commonly recognized by their colorful coat patterns, they also have other distinctive characteristics. The four identifiable characteristics are: coat pattern, mottled skin, white sclera, and striped hooves. In order to receive regular registration, a horse must have a recognizable coat pattern or mottled skin and one other characteristic.
Mottled skin is unique to the Appaloosa Horse. Therefore, mottled skin is a basic and decisive indicator of an Appaloosa. Mottled skin is different from commonly found pink (flesh-colored or non-pigmented ) skin in that it normally contains dark areas of pigmented skin within its area. The result is a speckled or blotchy pattern of pigmented and non-pigmented skin. The sclera is the area of the eye which encircles the cornea - the colored or pigmented portion. All horses have sclera but the Appaloosa's is white and usually more readily visible than other breeds. Many Appaloosas will have bold and clearly defined vertically light or dark striped hooves.
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